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The Trestle Board

Smithfield Lodge #455 A.F. & A.M.

8013 Main Street, North Richland Hills, Texas

P. O. Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Lodge telephone number:   817.656.2311

Contact the Lodge on  Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7 PM and 9 PM

                                      WEB ADDRESS: http://www.smithfieldlodge.com

September  2005

In Sacred Memory of

“He was a true and faithful Brother among us.”

From the East

Brethren,                  

   Welcome to a new year of Masonic fun, activities and service opportunities.  There are plenty of opportunities available to serve and lead.  If you're interested in learning how to confer a degree, work in a degree or simply need to brush up on your Masonic knowledge, Smithfield Lodge has one of the best floor schools in the district.  Floor school is every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM.  Stated meeting is the first Thursday of each month.

   Brethren, it's important to set goals for ourselves and the Lodge. Whenever I set a goal, it must be measurable, attainable and repeatable. Here are some of the goals I have created for Smithfield Lodge:

   1.  Increase our charitable giving by 5%.  There are plenty of opportunities to participate in charitable works.  Some suggestions received include helping teachers pay for some of their supplies. Teachers often spend their own money just to have supplies.  Another suggestion received has been giving a small scholarship or recognition award to a high school student who writes the best patriotic essay.  The Lodge could solicit patriotic essays from schools, review them, and determine which essay reflects the most patriotic themes and character concerning our nation's heritage and events.  This also would be a great networking opportunity for the Lodge with various schools and educational instructors. Perhaps the student is recognized during Public Education week.

   2.  Create a budget that is published and reviewed on a monthly basis. Brethren, there are many aspects to the budget.  We should know precisely what we can spend and what we cannot spend.  The Treasurer knows the budget well and can answer these questions.  Sometimes, an unexpected need may cause some monetary problems.  We need to be prepared at all times with an action plan.

   3.  Two more Brothers learn the EA lecture by June 30, 2006.  Smithfield Lodge has an excellent floor school.  There is a lot to the EA lecture, and we need more brothers to learn this lecture.  Learning this lecture increases and spreads the skill sets such that no one brother is constantly asked to do the EA lecture.  It also increases Masonic knowledge and makes more Smithfield brethren available to help other lodges who may need someone to give the EA lecture.

  4.  Obtain an under-study for the Secretary and an under-study for the Treasurer.  Brethren, Smithfield Lodge has the best Secretary and Treasurer in the state.  Brother Secretary, Billy Campbell, has served as our secretary for over 20 years!  Brother Treasurer, David Meyers, has served as treasurer for over 10 years!  Both of these brothers have developed and learned skills that are irreplaceable and cannot be learned by reading books or going to school.  They are both excellent mentors, well experienced and have knowledge that is invaluable.  Perhaps it is time to have other brothers learn these skill sets.  Additionally, it will allow these two brothers to pursue other lodge activities and fulfill their other goals as Masons.  If you're interested in learning the Secretary or Treasurer's duties, please let Brother Secretary, Brother Treasurer or myself know!

  5.  Update and upgrade the Lodge with more modern technologies.  Brethren, the Information Age is here, and it's important that Smithfield Lodge be a greater part of the Information Age.  The Lodge needs to be more accessible and participate more with other lodges.  The Grand Lodge is suggesting that lodges try to have their own Web site and be Email-able for communication purposes.  We are currently working on reviving our Web site, thanks to the donations and skills of a few brothers.  The cost has been very, very little due to heartfelt donations, gifts and time.  A committee has been appointed to review, consult and determine the appropriate course of action, including cost and recommendations.  Their report is due at October's stated meeting.  There are other upgrades currently being investigated and acted upon.

Brethren, if you have any suggestions, needs or questions, please let the Lodge know!  We are always here to serve and help you!

Have a great month, and best wishes from the Lodge!

Fraternally,

Michael Haygood

Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

    Upon the alter of Masonry lies three things - the Holy Bible, the Square, and Compasses. They are the three great lights in Masonry. The Bible, our divine warrant, is to be our rule and guide. The Square and Compasses have always been the chief working tools of masons in all ages. They are the simplest, oldest, and most recognized symbols in masonry.

   This form of spiritual education was given to us to aid in our moral development. Or simply put, to teach us how to live. The divine man within us can overcome the earthly man by walking in the light of truth and obeying the laws of the right.

   In ancient times the square was small and plain, unmarked, and its legs were equal in length. It was used to test the accuracy and precision of things that were cut. Naturally it became an emblem of accuracy, integrity, and rightness.

   We must have a moral standard when we put our thought and acts together. They build a structure of character, for good or bad, just as stones are cut to fit into a building. One ancient brother understood  these principles, in1517 he left a brass square under the foundation of a bridge near Limerick. On it was inscribed the date and the following words:

“Strive to live with love and care, upon the level, by the square”

    In the dark ages some men thought the earth was flat and square. The square was considered an earthly symbol. The compasses were thought to be a heavenly symbol because it made arches that reached to the sky, and many heavenly bodies were round. They also teaches us to draw a moral line around ourselves and not cross over. We can all recall what happens to the Compasses as we progress through the three degrees. This may be symbolic of the spiritual man overcoming the earthly man.

   So on the alter of Masonry lies the great light in Masonry, the Holy Bible. On that Bible set the Square and Compasses. They represent Revelation, Righteousness, and Redemption. They teach us how to live!

Fraternally,

Herb Taylor

Senior Warden

From the South

Brethren,              

Things are hopping at the Lodge!  And it’s exciting to see all that’s going on.  We have several Entered Apprentice’s studying their work. Several prospects we hope will be joining soon, more and more Brother’s are showing up on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s for floor school, and doing an excellent job in learning how to put on a degree.  Thanks to Ernest Runyon, the lodge now has a computer, and our web site has been moved and updated.  Check out the new website at www.smithfieldlodge.com   We will be making more updates and changes as we go.  This would be an excellent time to thank Brother RT Koonce for the new dining room tables.  The new tables are really nice and should last us for many more years, Thanks Bro. “Bunk”!!  Along with the new PC and web site, we are also looking into getting a digital projector to use in various ways about the Lodge.  These new “toys” should help us reach even more members than we have been able to reach in the past.

All of these changes and upgrades are exciting and needed in order to bring Smithfield Lodge into the 21st Century. However, all the toys and gadgets in the world cannot replace the individual member.  Without our members, the gadgets would just sit there idle.  Brethren, while it’s great to see new blood coming into the lodge, someone has to pass the knowledge, work, and Masonic History to these new members.  Brothers Bo Hestilow, RT Koonce, Les Eggers, and BR Campbell cannot do it alone,  We have approximately 200 members, and only a small fraction show up for meetings.  I know, a lot of you are “getting on with age” and it gets harder to get around.  Please don’t let that stop you, we have several Brethren who would be more than happy to pick someone up, take them to the Lodge and back home.  All it takes is a phone call.  The Lodge’s number is in the Trestle Board, as is most of the Officer's.  Make that call, come down and see what can be done in an active Lodge when Brethren get involved.

Brother W.M. Gosdin PM has been ill lately, I’m sure he and his family would like to hear from well wishers.  If you don’t know how to contact him, leave a message at the Lodge and someone will get back to you with the info.

By the time you are reading this, Bro. AM Hestilow will have celebrated his 50th year as a Mason. Brother Bo, we thank you for so many years of  unselfish, dedicated service.  You are the perfect example of a true and faithful Brother..

Until next month Brethren,

Fraternally,

Rick Montey

Junior Warden/Editor

The Secretary’s Desk

Brethren,

Things at Smithfield Lodge are well. The new Master has his first stated meeting under his belt, and he did fine. It always comes as a shock when we first understand that the members are there to help the new master, not to intimidate.

The Grand Master held our Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association officer election, and installed them at our last meeting. What a good job.

The Deputy Grand Master held the election, and election of the Masonic Service Bureau officers. He, also, did a fine job.

They were complimentary of the 64th districts units. They see a lot of different groups in other districts, and it means a lot to us of this district when they use us as an example.

 We now have an updated computer at the Lodge thanks to Ernest Runyon. Thank him for his good work when you see him. He has up-dated the Lodge web site. More on this later.

 If you would like to have this periodical sent to you by e-mail  be sure and let me know. This might save some money for the Lodge. We are kicking the idea around.

Last but not least, we had to suspend 8 members because of non-payment of dues. This always distresses me. I feel like I have let someone down when I have to do this. I try to contact each one before I suspend them. Sometimes we have a real difficultly understanding why this could happen, but if there are reasons, we can remit the dues. This is done by Lodge action, I can not do it on my own. This is explained in a letter mailed in March prior to the deadline. If you know of anyone who misunderstands this tell them to contact me. We can help.

Finally, by the time you get this, A.M.Hestilow, Jr. P.M. will have received his 50 year award. This fine man has dedicated untold hours to teaching, cooking, and keeping the Lodge up. I am proud to call him my friend.

Fraternally Yours,

BR Campbell

Secretary

The picture to the left, was mistakenly labeled as the new Stewards being installed in last month’s Trestle Board.  These are your new Deacon’s, Walter Busch and Mike Byers.

From Gary’s Kitchen

CLASSIC PECAN PIE

3 eggs, slightly beaten

1-cup sugar

1 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup

2 tblsp margarine or butter melted

1 tsp vanilla

1 ¼ cups pecans

1 (9”) unbaked or frozen deep-dish pie crust

A. Preheat oven to 350° F.

B. In large bowl, stir first 5 ingredients until well blended.  Stir in pecans.  Pour into pie crust.

C. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean.

D. Cool on wire rack.  Makes 8 servings.

To use prepared frozen pie crust:

1.  Use 9-inch deep-dish pie crust.  Do not thaw.

2.  Preheat oven and a cookie sheet.

3. Pour filling into frozen crust; bake on cookie sheet.

(Insulated cookie sheet is not recommended)

Remember the "Smithfield Masonic Lodge Permanent Endowment Fund"

Your support is a continuing need.  Any donation is welcome.  A donation of $100.00 or more puts your name, or the name of someone you wish to honor, on a plaque in the dining area of the Lodge building.  Please send your donation to Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 821413 , Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Thanks to our Trestle Board Sponsors

Masonic Birthdays for September, 2005

The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.

Congratulations Brethren!

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